Alcoholic Neuropathy

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There is much research and controversy around the consumption of alcohol. Some camps provide the justification side with studies that indicate moderation can have heart health benefits. Others highlight the risks of drinking including pancreatitis, blood pressure problems, depression and nerve damage.

If you can say that you have engaged in prolonged use of alcoholic beverages, listen up – nerve damage, also called alcoholic neuropathy, is a serious risk that can significantly impact your quality of life. An ingredient found in alcohol called ethanol is toxic to your nerve tissue. When you go beyond drinking in moderation, the nerves in your feet and hands can become damaged, meaning you can lose sensation in these limbs. The nerve damage is often permanent.

Pain in your legs, feeling a “pins and needles” sensation in your feet, muscle spasms and weakness are symptoms of neuropathy that you need to monitor. It may be a loved one complaining of these that can alarm you of a problem that needs to be addressed before serious complications occur.

If caught early, symptoms can be treated before complications such as disability result. Medications, physical therapy, dietary changes and nerve stimulation are just a few of the treatment options podiatrist Dr. Tina Boucher uses to help patients with this condition. Call Central Connecticut Footcare Center today if you or someone you know needs diagnosis and treatment for symptoms described here. Neuropathy is not something to take lightly – call us at (203) 238-3668 to make an appointment today.

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Chronic Ankle Pain – Why You Have it and What to Do!

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Any nagging ache or pain can be just that – a real pain! When it happens to occur in your foot or ankle, it can really impact your quality of life. Simple tasks can become difficult and you realize how much you rely on your feet to get through the day.

Is chronic ankle pain something you are tired of dealing with? Numerous conditions can cause this and because it can lead to tissue damage and possible disability, it is worth getting to the bottom of why you have it and what you can do to keep it from getting worse.

When patients come in to Central Connecticut Footcare Center with persistent pain, we often start by asking about footwear. Shoes with tight toe boxes and higher heels don’t allow your feet to function properly, even if you claim to be comfortable! Good shoes help your feet gain strength and flexibility and without those and the proper support, pain can lurk around the corner.

Two other reasons for your sore ankles could be osteoarthritis and tarsal tunnel syndrome. The first is a degenerative joint disease typically affecting older people, while the latter can be caused by an ankle injury, bone spurs or having a condition such as diabetes. Our podiatrist, Dr. Tina Boucher will be able to find the root of your pain, get you on a tailored treatment plan and help you back to the freedom of living life without ankle pain!

How long have you been suffering, hoping your nagging problem will just go away? If you are like most people, your answer is probably far too long! Allow us to help get you back on your feet. Make an appointment at our Meriden, CT office today by calling (203) 238-3668 – you have nothing lose but that annoying pain!

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Take Care of Diabetic Feet with the Right Shoes

If you have diabetes, don’t underestimate the importance of your shoes!

There is much to monitor if you have diabetes and it can get overwhelming at times, even for someone who has lived with the disease for years. A foot problem is one thing that can bring serious danger and consequences and the right shoes can make all the difference.

Dr. Tina Boucher is a foot specialist highly dedicated to caring for her patients with diabetes. A foot problem left untreated can lead to wounds, ulcers and even amputation. We can’t stress enough the importance of wearing good shoes if you have diabetes and here is why:

• Neuropathy is common with diabetes and the nerve damage in your feet impacts your ability to feel pain, heat and cold. For this reason, you need to be wearing shoes that support and protect your feet from foreign objects, cold temperatures and hot sand or sidewalks.

• A poorly made pair of shoes may have rough stitching and areas of pressure. This can lead to the formation of blisters and even a small blister has the potential to turn into a serious wound.

• Any pain or inflammation present can be made worse by wearing ill-fitting shoes.

• Any current deformity such as Charcot foot, hammertoes or small amputation needs to be stabilized and protected to avoid further damage.

• Custom orthotics are often beneficial to those with diabetes to provide extra support and stabilization. A good pair of shoes will need extra room to accommodate them.

If you have been trying to follow these general rules but continue to have foot pain or if a bad pair of shoes has left you with an injury, please contact us for treatment. Make an appointment today at Central Connecticut Footcare Center by calling (203) 238-3668. Allow Dr. Boucher to take care of your feet so you can concentrate on the other things that matter in life.

Arthritis in the Feet

Are you dealing with pain and inflammation in your joints?

Arthritis affects around 40 million Americans so you if you suffer from this painful disease, please know you are not alone! Our job at Central Connecticut Foot Care Center is to give patients relief from their foot and ankle pain. Foot specialist, Dr. Tina Boucher, treats patients with arthritis in their feet on a regular basis.

More specifically, it is osteoarthritis that develops in the joints of the foot and ankle. It is the most common type of arthritis and is degenerative in nature. This means that it gets worse over time as you age. The cartilage in your feet breaks down over time and because each foot has 33 joints, the result can be significant pain and loss of mobility.

How do I know if I have arthritis in my feet?

Arthritis can affect anyone at any age but typically those over 50 years of age are more susceptible. Early diagnosis can significantly limit and slow down the damage that this disease can cause. For this reason, please pay close attention if you experience the following symptoms:

• Stiffness in your feet and ankles in the morning

• Recurring pain or tenderness

• Inability to move your foot or ankle, walk or bear weight

• Redness or heat

• Changes in your skin

• Swelling

Please contact our office if you have any of these symptoms. Dr. Boucher can diagnose if arthritis has set in and start you on the right path of treatment. This may involve pain relievers, arch supports, physical therapy or special shoes. Don’t allow joint pain to affect your life any longer. Call us today (203) 238-3668 to make an appointment or visit us online.

Osteoporosis Might First be Found in Feet!

Did you know that your bones are actually made of living, growing tissue? There are several components that make bones strong and flexible. Until about the age of 25, your bones continue to become more dense until they reach their peak bone mass. At this point, you have the most bone that you will ever have and more bone mass reduces your chances of breaks and osteoporosis as you get older.

Do you have an unexplained foot fracture?

As we age, we can lose bone and when you lose too much bone or don’t make enough, the condition is called osteoporosis. There are many risk factors for developing osteoporosis. Some you can’t control such as age, menopause and family history. Others factors such as poor diet, inactivity, smoking and weight loss are within your boundaries to control.

Foot specialist, Dr. Tina Boucher continually reminds her patients that foot pain is not normal. This bone condition is one reason you should always get symptoms looked at. Foot pain can be due to a stress fracture and the fracture could be indicative of osteoporosis. Unexplained stress fractures are often the first sign of the condition. Catching the condition early will provide time to respond with appropriate diet or lifestyle changes to slow down its progression.

Since your feet can provide valuable clues to your health such as whether you may have osteoporosis, please contact us with any unusual pain or symptoms. Call Central Connecticut Footcare Center at (203) 238-3668 and make an appointment with Dr. Boucher today.

Osteochondritis

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Are you having pain and stiffness in your ankle?

Persistent pain in your foot or ankle can be very frustrating as it impairs your ability to carry out daily tasks or takes you out of activities. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT regularly sees patients complaining of ankle pain and ready for relief.

If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in your ankle joint, it could be the result of a condition called osteochondritis. This is a common condition that most often develops after you have had a twisting-type injury to your ankle. During an injury, a piece of cartilage from the end of a bone in your ankle can “chip” off or become loose. Sometimes a chipped piece of cartilage stays in place leaving no pain or symptoms. It is when a fragment of cartilage moves and and gets caught between a joint that pain or stiffness can develop. Swelling and aching are also common symptoms we hear from patients at our podiatric office.

This sounds like what I may have, what can be done?

This is one of those conditions where the early it is diagnosed and treated the better. Rest and immobilization in a cast can give the bone injury time to heal. If the condition is more severe, surgery may be needed to remove the loose fragments of cartilage. The area where the fragment broke off from may need to be addressed as well. This can be done by drilling holes which stimulates blood vessels resulting in scar tissue that fills in the area.

To avoid surgery, please call us today if you are experiencing nagging, aching pain or stiffness in your ankle. Dr. Boucher can diagnose the severity of your injury and start appropriate treatment immediately. Call our office at (203) 238-3668 or visit us at www.centralctfootcare.com.

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Clubfoot

English: children foot - plantar (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Having anything wrong with your child, big or small, can be scary and if your child has clubfoot you may be full of fear of what this might mean. Dr. Tina Boucher, foot specialist in Meriden, CT treats children of all ages. There are many foot problems that can affect children and clubfoot is a very common condition that is not life threatening and often responds very well to effective treatment methods.

How did my child’s clubfoot happen?
Clubfoot is a common birth defect in which the foot is abnormally twisted at a sharp angle near the ankle. There is no known cause for this condition other than the foot turns during the development in the womb. There are some conditions such as spina bifida that can cause clubfoot as well.

Ultrasounds can show clubfoot in the womb and it can be diagnosed immediately at birth. X-rays are often taken to fully assess the severity of the defect. When it is detected at birth, the good news is that it is not painful for your child and it is correctable.

For patients with clubfoot, Dr. Boucher will treat with a goal to restore function to the foot or feet by the time the patient is ready to walk. Depending on the nature of the clubfoot condition, she may implement serial casting to move the bones into alignment, special shoes and braces. Surgery is required at times if tendons, ligaments and joints need to be adjusting but more conservative methods are often effective. They require patience as treatment may take several months and symptoms can last until the age of seven. With the expert care of Dr. Boucher, your child will be in great hands and will be given tailored care specific to his or her needs.

If you have any questions about clubfoot or concerns about the care your child is receiving, please contact our podiatric office today. Call Dr. Boucher at (203) 238-3668 or visit www.centralctfootcare.com.

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